Watch American History tv every weekend on cspan 3. We are at the breakers in Newport Rhode island were cspan is learning more about the areas history. The breakers is the largest of the gilded age mansions in newport. Join us as we take a twirl of this home. The first thing you notice is hall, which we are standing in right now. It is a 50 x 50 box. 50 feet wide and 50 feet high. It is highly ornamented with carvings. The symbol of the vanderbilt amalie can be seen everywhere. Leaf whichnd the oak meant strength and longevity and you will find mthe acorn and through the all house, the theme of the family. And there were all sorts and kinds of marble, a lot of ornamentation. This house is supposed to look like an italian palace. They wanted to make a statement that, indeed, they had succeeded, that they had met the pinnacle and that they were able to do with they could with their resources and they wanted to create fine homes that were in the style of european mansions. It was built by
Peter is the author of the winner of the National Jewish book award. Ofis the first curator history at the smithsonian has written the book, the available in, the gift shop. He will be signing books. Please welcome him to the stage. Him,e very excited to have peter manseau. [applause] could you keep clapping while i pour my water . [laughter] im actually going to levitate that table later on, so be prepared. It is great to be here. Around the corner on Willow Street for a little bit. Willow street west Truman Capote street. Im sure it is no accident having lived there for some time that i set out to right the in spirit geography books. You can tell me if i have been successful in that effort. I would like to begin tonight by asking a question. Who has a camera with them . Something you can take pictures with . Had i asked that question 10 years ago, who would have said yes . A couple. How about 20 years ago . And who has one now . We all do. During our lifetime, we have seen a radical
The 19th century in linkin park are behind the chicago history museum. Just like the fact that you have free admission to the arts institute, you also have free admission to the chicago history museum. Step outside and look at the fantastic sculpture. The man or the standing lincoln. We will get back to this. I love this material. I am so moved by lincoln and by his era and by the art and imagery about him. I know it sounds creepy. Im in love with his body. Withll see in photographs him there is a lot to say. I know i am old and thin and tall. I do not just of like Abraham Lincoln. Maybe one day. Realizeaid that, i public history or performative history or living history is really, really important. Actors have a real important place in the way we understand history. If youre interested in that, we have a wonderful scholar in the History Department whose specialty that is. I used to give talks like this in the state of illinois. In 1809. Born afound out that illinois is huge states, re
Ah gus tuss saint gaudin. It is called the standing lincoln. We will get back to this. I love this material. I got to tell you, i am so moved by lincoln and by his era and by the art and imagery about him, the photographs of him. I know it sounds creepy, im in love with his body, and well see in photographs of him theres lots to say. By the way, i know im kind of like old and thin and tall, but i do not dress up like Abraham Lincoln. Maybe one day. But, you know, having said that, you know, i realize public history or Performance History or living history is really, really important. Lincoln enactors have an important place in the way we understand history. So if youre interested in that, we have a wonderful scholar, amy tyson, in the History Department whose specialty that is. I used to give lots of talks like this around the state of illinois in the years leading up to lincolns buy centennial, bicentennial of his birth in 2009. He was born in 1809. I found out that illinois is a huge
A single painting or photograph. His class is about 70 minutes. Do you recognize this . Do you recognize this statue . Were all chicagoans. Im going to shame you a little bit. We should know. Its, like, maybe the best sculpture of lincoln from the 19th century, and its in lincoln park, right behind the chicago history museum. And just like the fact that you have free admission to the art institute, you also have free admission to chicago history museum. Step outside next time and take a look. This is a fantastic sculpture by augustus saintgaudens. Lincoln, the man, or the standing lincoln is what its called. But well get back to this. I love this material. I got to tell you. I am so moved by lincoln and by his era and by the art and imagery about him, photographs of him. I know it sounds creepy. Im in love with his body. And well snow photographs of him, theres lots to say. And by the way, i know im, like, old and thin and tall. I did not dress up like Abraham Lincoln. Maybe one day. B